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Drug testing for benefits yields few positive results

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Officials say less than 0.2 percent of Tennesseans who have applied for welfare since July 2014 have failed a drug test mandated for some.

Citing data provided by the Department of Human Services the Tennessean reports that 65 of 39,121 people applying for Families First cash assistance benefits tested positive for drugs since the law was implemented.

Since the law started, 609 people have been asked to take a drug test. An additional 116 refused to participate in an initial drug screening questionnaire, automatically disqualifying them from benefits.

State Rep. Sherry Jones, a Nashville Democrat, voted against the measure and remains opposed.

“You cannot take food from children. I don’t care what their reasoning is for people on drugs. It’s not about the grownups. It’s about the children.”

Franklin Rep. Glen Casada says the law is working and that most of his GOP caucus members are happy with the results.

“So we’re going to evaluate this at least one more full year, look at the results and just see was it…does the body think it’s good or a bad idea.”

The Department of Human Services says the program has cost the state about $23,000 to outsource the drug tests.

For more on this issue, see this earlier story by WMOT News.